12 in 13! So, Why the MOOSHA-MOOSH?

Table of Contents

Don’t Let Your Friend Be Medigans!

Before I get going, I’m MOOSHA-MOOSH!

First, I apologize for the poor quality of my last post. I composed it while on a redeye. Cathy usually proofreads. You can tell that she didn’t in this case. My typos, actually, lack of attention, have made me feel MOOSHA-MOOSH!

Arriving in Napoli quickly cured that feeling. But, unfortunately, the MOOSHA-MOOSH feeling returned just as soon as our first pizza of the trip arrived!

Now, let’s set the record straight: I am neither Italian nor Italian-American. Those designations are reserved for those born in Italy or are first-generation Americans with Italian parents. I proudly wear the label of a simple American of Italian descent. But, figgin’ A, I’m NO Medigan!!

In Napoli, pizza transcends mere sustenance; it’s a cultural institution. Thus, when our first Neapolitan beauty (read: pizza) arrived at my plate, the Medigans (as documented in my January 27, 2024 post) at the adjacent table seemed to harbor expectations that they were still in America.

I got a little crazy as I listened to their conversation with the wait staff.

Picture this: four Medigans—mind you, we’re in Napoli, or more precisely, Sorrento—order a pizza. But lo and behold, their Neapolitan masterpiece arrived uncut! I overheard the comment, “Why isn’t it cut like home?” I nearly crapped my pants!

And here’s the TOPPER: they wondered why their pizza was so small. They said, “This can’t feed four people! Why aren’t pizzas big like the USA?”

In all respects, what was delivered was a Neapolitan beauty! 12 inches and about €8 (and not $22 for 14 inches)! PLEASE!

Thankfully, I had already established a relationship with the owner and wait staff as a Nebaletan by proudly displaying the Napoli logo pasted to the back of my phone. I mumbled Medigans as the owner walked past me eliciting a broad smile!

Nebaletan Word of the Day: Moosha-moosh

My last post introduced the word MUSHAD (MOOSHAD) which means soft, or in the case of macaroni, over cooked and mushy. Another version is a slang phrase MOOSHA-MOOSH (Musha-mush) that my mother (Grandma Joanne) frequently used.

MOOSHA-MOOSH (Musha-mush) – definition – the sad face of a person, or a person who is feeling down.

In context with my mother (Grandma Joanne) when I was a kid:

Grandma Joanne, “Michael, perche MOOSHA-MOOSH, (how come. you look upset)?”
Me, “The ‘fill in the blank team‘ (Browns, Indians…) lost.”
Grandma Joanne,”Will macaroni help?” knowing that was THE solution since my team too frequently lost!

In the YouTube video Learn Napoletano from The Sopranos, you can see:

I’m not sure if MUSHAD or MOOSHA-MOOSH are more universal Italian, but it was certainly part of my normal Nebaletan vocabulary when I was a child. I reached out to my Capos, Donnie and Carmen. Donnie heard and used the phrase MOOSHA-MOOSH, but not Carm.

12 in 13 – The Pizza Odyssey!

No, not 12 into 13 as in old school ‘rithmatic (13 divided by 12), but 12 pizzas in 13 days—a culinary adventure spanning the enchanting towns and cities of Campania: Sorrento, Capri, Positano, Napoli, Sala di Serino, and Caserta. Each slice, a portal into the heart of Campanian culture. Clearly, for me, being in Campania will cure my MOOSHA-MOOSH!

Now, let’s slice through the dough and explore:

The Good, the Better, and the Great – Campania’s “good, but not great pizzas” outshine most North American counterparts. But ah, the GREAT ones—they transcend borders and time zones. They linger on your tongue, whispering tales of tradition and mastery.
The Unspoken Language of Pizza – Casual pizza dabblers may miss the nuances—the subtlety of crust, sauce, and toppings. But if you truly dive into a pizza pilgrimage, it’s a different story. Countless bites, fueled by PASSION, allow one to discern the GREAT from the merely good.
The Greatness Factor – What sets the truly GREAT pizzas apart from the rest? It’s not just the wood-fired ovens or the locally sourced ingredients. No, it’s the unmistakable imprint of PASSIONE—a flavor that transcends mere sustenance.

And so, my fellow pizza aficionados, let us raise our crusts to the artisans, the ovens, and the eternal quest for that perfect slice. May your passion burn brighter than the wood-fired flames! 🍕🔥

Concettina Ai Tre Santi – Sanita District, Napoli

A Slice of Napoli: Concettina Ai Tre Santi – Our final pizza escapade led us to Concettina Ai Tre Santi in the raw, unapologetic Sanita District of Napoli. Here, the cobblestone streets weave tales of centuries past, and the Palazzo Sanfelice alla Sanità stands as a silent witness. As the Neapolitan sun dipped low, we savored our last pizza—a symphony of charred crust, San Marzano tomatoes, and creamy mozzarella. The flavors danced, and for a moment, Napoli whispered its secrets! Concettina Ai Tre Santi

Date	Style	City	State	Rating	Go Back?
4/25/25	Neapolitan, Calzone	Rione Sanita, Napoli	Campania, Italy	Great	Yes

Notes – As a change of pace, we ordered calzones (pronounced cal-zone-ay). These are calzone of a different breed! This place has been recognized by Michelin 5 different times. I’ve been to other pizzerias with this distinction and ALL ARE GREAT! Lots of fresh, creamy rigot (not the stuff found in stores in NA)! The RAGU on the ‘RARR calzone reminded me of my mother’s Sunday sauce the day after she made a pot roast. Pot roast in tomato sauce IS TO DIE FOR!

Check Out 3 of 5 Michelin Ratings on Right!

Pizzeria D’Autore – Santa Lucia District, Napoli

The second great pizza from the trip was at Pizzeria D’Autore in the Santa Lucia District along the Mediterranean.

Views along the Med from Santa Lucia, simply awesome!!!!!

Date	Pizza and Website Link	Style	City	FL	Rating	Go Back?
4/19/23	Pizzeria D’Autore	Neapolitan	Santa Lucia, Napoli	Campania, Italy	Great	Yes

Notes – After many “good” pizzas in and around Napoli, this is the first GREAT one on this trip. Dough/crust soft, chewy with a nice yeasty taste, tomato rich and tangy, not lots of cheese

Now pizza from D’Autore:

Gastronomia Reale – Caserta

The third great pizza was in Caserta, and again, it wasn’t a Neapolitan style, but Roman Style at Gastronomia Reale.

# This Year	Pizza and Website Link	Style	City	FL	Rating	Go Back?
24	Gastronomia Reale	Roman – Al Taglio	Caserta	Campania, Italy	Great	Yes

Notes – Crust to die for. Crisp but soft, Bready,wonderful red pepper, tomato and onion topping, just a few splotches of cheese

Acunzo – Vomero District, Napoli

The final notable pizza was walking up to the Vomero District through the Quortieri Spagnoli (Spanish Quarter). If you watch many of the YouTube idiots disparage the Spanish Quarter, go tell them bah fangool!

The Spanish Quarter is incredible, raw, but incredible. THE PEOPLE ARE BEYOND NICE THERE. We’ve been lost at night and stumbled upon an open corner store and had novelty ice cream treat and received perfect directions from the owner!

The Vomero District is more like Milan than Napoli. It’s swank with wide boulevards and not nearly as much humanity as the rest of Napoli. But, although the day’s experience was great, the pizza at Acunzo was good, but not great.

But, there was more than enough for me because Mister Calzone (Mister is what they call the Head Coach in Italy) of my SSC Napoli sat at the table next to us (in the corner hiding because the team’s not doing too well….)

And the remainder of the 13!

Date	Pizza and Website Link	Style	City	FL	Rating	Go Back?	Notes (Dough)
4/24/24	Decimo Scalo	Neapolitan	Caserta	Campania, Italy	Good	Maybe	Very good, nearly great, listed by Top 100 Chefs, the dough was so close to great, but missed on deep flavor, sauce good, cheese to much for me
4/23/24	Basilico	Neapolitan	Caserta	Campania, Italy	Good	Maybe	A little expensive for what was provided,
4/22/24	Rustikas	Neapolitan	Serino	Campania, Italy	Good	Yes	Serino is the home area of my family, so there’s sentimental attachment! Good, but not the best of the goods from the trip
4/17/24	Na Bona Furchetta	Neapolitan	Santa Lucia, Napoli	Campania, Italy	Good	No	A nice attempt, but only good
4/16/24	Casa Mele	Neapolitan	Positano	Campania, Italy	Good	Yes	Outside the chaos that Positano (they’re are much better places to visit around Napoli). Pretty dsmn good
4/15/24	Frankie’s Pizza Bar	Neapolitan	Sorrento, Napoli	Campania, Italy	Good	Maybe	Met the owner, fun guy, born in Sorrento, lived most of his life in England. One of the better that I’ve had in Sorrento, good but not great
4/14/24	leAcate	Neapolitan	Anacapri, Capri, Napoli	Campania, Italy	Good	No	Expensive for Napoli, but you might expect that on Capri, not better than any in Napoli despite the price
4/13/24	Aurora	Neapolitan	Sorrento, Napoli	Campania, Italy	Good	No	One of my least favorite in Napoli